Culture Leaders: The Masters Behind Movements

Jim McCann, Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS, shares his story as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and thought leader who turned a single flower shop into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. In this conversation, Jim discusses the importance of community connections in business, and his efforts to adapt his business to the age of AI, and the lessons he learned while writing his self-help book, Lodestar. What is Your Why? Jim explains how his ever-changing why has now become multi-generational; looking forward to the future of his business in a changing work landscape. Investing in Employees Jim talks about the benefits of investing in employees personally and professionally, whether to help them in their current jobs or equipping them for another. Adapting to AI Jim shares some of the lessons he learned from working with Microsoft about helping businesses and workers thrive in the coming age of artificial intelligence. Relationships and Self-Help Jim discusses how writing the Celebrations Pulse newsletter built a community during the pandemic, and how it led to writing his self-help book, Lodestar. Adapting to AI Jim shares some of the lessons he learned from working with Microsoft about helping businesses and workers thrive in the coming age of artificial intelligence. About Jim McCann Jim McCann is an entrepreneur, public speaker and author whose passion is helping people deliver smiles. McCann's belief in the universal need for social connections and interaction led to his founding of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, which he has grown into the world's leading florist and gift shop and Celebrations.com, the leading website for expert party planning content and advice. McCann's willingness to embrace new technologies that help people connect and express themselves, such as 800 phone numbers, the Internet, mobile commerce and social networking, often long before others, has enabled him to stay at the forefront of consumer and social trends. In addition to his roles as Founder and CEO of 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. and Chairman of Smile Farms, Jim also serves as Chairman of Worth Media Group, which celebrates organizations and leaders who are using their influence and success to have a positive impact on society.  Jim also serves on a variety of other private and not-for-profit boards and is Vice-Chairman, Lead Independent Director for International Game Technology PLC. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim1800flowers/ https://www.1800flowers.com/  Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

In today's episode: Just like some companies were born digital-native, there will be companies that are born AI-native. Older companies need to do the legwork to keep up. Each AI model will have its own strengths. unique strengths and weaknesses. Jim McCann of 1-800-FLOWERS says businesses should find AI-building partners whose models most suit their needs. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Jim McCann. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim1800flowers/ 1-800-FLOWERS: https://www.1800flowers.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Beliefs lead to actions, which produce results. Skip the "action trap" and focus on getting teams into an adaptive mindset, rather than micromanaging actions. When Oracle made its shift to cloud-based computing, it demanded a mindset shift. They were no longer making short-term hardware sales to IT departments, but selling long-term cloud applications to HR, sales, and finance. They hired people like Jessica to help Oracle's own employees get on board with that shift in language and mindset. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Fear is having faith in something you don't want to happen. Beliefs drive actions, which create results. A mindset based in fear-based beliefs will end with fear-based results. Choosing faith--in yourself, in colleagues, in leadership--allows you to pour effort into positive beliefs, which are more likely to produce the results you're hoping for. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: The CEO of Workday says AI agents will soon be built into their technology. When Sarah Franklin of Lattice said this six months ago, there was massive blowback. Now, not so much. Culture doesn't go down without a fight. There was always going to be pushback against changes at this scale, but agentic AI is being increasingly normalized. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: A company has only two options: culture or control. Smaller, in-person companies can get away with culture and values being shared by osmosis. Larger, remote companies need to be more deliberate to achieve the culture they want. Thrive Market documents its values and how they are operationalized at every level of the business. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Nick Green. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgreen/ Thrive Market: https://thrivemarket.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Diverse skillsets united behind a shared mission can be a powerful force for success. For Thrive Market's founders, that shared purpose helped them weather dozens of rejections in early seed rounds. They succeeded by partnering with a large number of influencers instead of a few VCs. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Nick Green. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgreen/ Thrive Market: https://thrivemarket.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Jessica's appearance on Studio Sacramento: Return-to-office mandates are largely caused by employers who want to manage activity, not outcomes. The people most harmed by these mandates are employees who are already struggling to pay for child care, elder care, transportation, and more. To protect yourself from AI-related job losses, it pays to be a change embracer. Learn what AI can do in your job and your workplace, bring it to the forefront, and make yourself visible as someone positioned to take charge as the future of work continues to change. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: A lot of companies had record-breaking December numbers, now that the election uncertainty is finally over. Since economic policy take around 2 years to manifest, we'll still be seeing the effects of the Biden economy for the next year or two. New uncertainties will emerge from the policies and disruptions that a Trump administration is likely to bring. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Employees that believe in a company's mission will go the extra mile. Many applicants--especially younger ones--self-select for companies that align with their values. For Thrive Market, personal examples and references are key steps hiring employees who fit. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Nick Green. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgreen/ Cisco: https://thrivemarket.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Jessica's appearance on Studio Sacramento: Jessica doesn't want "loyal" employees. She wants employees who are excited about the work, doing interesting things, and believe they're getting paid fairly. If one of those things isn't true, loyalty might lead someone to stay in a position that doesn't meet their needs. That leads to resentment, burnout, and a lose-lose for everybody. A culture of transparency gets everyone on the same page. Employers can help the employees find jobs that meet their needs, and they can look for other employees whose needs are met by the position. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

Nick Green, Co-Founder and CEO of Thrive Market, shares how the drive to make healthier eating more accessible has shaped the company from the very beginning; from operationalizing its core values to hiring talent whose purpose aligns with the mission. He explains how mission-driven thinking includes setting long-term sustainability goals, finding “non-zero-sum” ways to make an impact, and sharing stories to build loyalty in customers who share Thrive Market's core values. What is Your Why? Nick explains how Thrive Market's mission is deeply personal, rooted to a lack of affordable, healthy food options in the area where he grew up. Hiring for Purpose Fit Nick discusses the importance of purpose-fit when hiring for a fast-paced, mission-driven company, and how he looks for talent that match Thrive Market's vision. Co-Founding Thrive Market Nick shares the origins of Thrive Market, including how a shared passion for health helped him and his co-founders to weather earlier failures. Profits, Sustainability, and Long-Term Thinking Nick explains how the mission has guided Thrive Market over ten years, including long-term goals that have ended up increasing both sustainability and profits. Generational Shifts and Operationalizing Values Nick discusses how Thrive Market keeps its values at the forefront of the company's culture, and how younger workers seem to place more emphasis on meaningful work that matches their values. About Nick Green Nick Green is Co-Founder & CEO of Thrive Market, a membership-based online market that makes healthy, sustainable living easy and accessible for everyone. Since launching in 2014, Thrive Market has grown to more than 1 million paying members and become a touchstone example of a mission-driven company at scale. LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgreen/ Thrive Market: https://thrivemarket.com/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

In today's episode: In asking how to balance mission with profits, avoid a binary "yes" or "no." What can be done now? What can be achieved a few years down the line? Some opportunities are non-zero sum; they can achieve mission goals while driving business growth (or just avoiding business harm) Telling stories about the company's efforts to achieve its mission goals can inspire loyalty in customers. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Nick Green. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholasgreen/ Cisco: https://thrivemarket.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Start with results by making a plan. Choose goals that are meaningful, measurable, and memorable. But we can only control the effort we put into our work, not the final outcome. When it's time to check in, focus on progress, not perfection. By measure success by effort, people feel free to strive higher. Success and failure stay completely within their control. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode, Jessica discusses John Burn-Murdoch's story in the Financial Times: The relationship recession is going global It's not just declining birth rates; fewer people are getting into relationships at all. Those changing demographics change business. Customer-first businesses need to adjust their products to include more solo households and non-traditional structures. Social media has redefined employee expectations; more focus on independence, purpose, and autonomy. More employees are navigating life without partners or children. That changes the approach to work-life balance and emotional well-being. Increasing loneliness means it's even more important to foster connection and good mental health in the workplace or face burnout. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Profit can be combined with purpose. Cisco's Guy Diedrich holds to the phrase, "If we do good, we'll do well." When an outside event impacts a company, it filters through the company's core values and result in some behavior. As long as those values hold firm, a company's behavior remains predictable and consistent. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Dr. Guy Diedrich. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-diedrich-4b4a3041/ Cisco: https://www.cisco.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Power changes people; it reinforces worth and self-esteem, but most people in corporate jobs begin to identify with the power of their title. Three key points to avoid the power trap: Leadership is about service, not status. Delegate. Leadership means empowering others to take ownership of their work. Listen and remain open-minded. Seek different perspectives and avoid echo chambers. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Angry workers are taking their complaints to company website comment sections. Some companies are responding by shutting down the comments. Silencing complains doesn't make them go away; if anything, it just makes make things worse. If employees don't feel heard by their employers, they'll find somebody willing to listen: whether that's media, union organizers, or competitors. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Schwab Network: The above-average December jobs report is a direct reaction to the election. Uncertainty was bad for business. We know what a Trump administration will mean for regulation and markets, so companies can strategize accordingly. It's still a tale of two job markets: the hourly and the salaried. It may be hard to get a job as a marketing executive, but there are still labor shortages in fields like nursing and manufacturing. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: To succeed in working with different cultures, you have to leave opinions and politics at the door. But nearly everybody wants to move in the right direction--whatever that means for them. Companies coming from the outside a culture can find creative ways to succeed that are appropriate for the culture in question. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Dr. Guy Diedrich. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-diedrich-4b4a3041/ Cisco: https://www.cisco.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: There's been a 2% increase in workforce productivity, which businesses are celebrating. We're going to see that number continue to rise. We're going to continue automating repetitive physical jobs as well as office jobs like advertising and marketing--which means higher unemployment as those jobs are eliminated. Some unions--like the Longshoremen--will use their leverage oppose the automation and job loss. The transition to the Trump Administration will be something to watch: Trump is far from union-friendly, but he also won't want to see commerce disrupted. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: No, Mark Zuckerberg isn't joining the show--but he's removing fact-checking from Facebook. Over time, news has gotten less and less reliable; that makes it easier for people to believe in conspiracies and doubt even stories that are true. People read headlines, not articles. Those headlines and articles are often written by AI these days. All of these are dangerous signs for the future. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

Dr. Guy Diedrich, Senior Vice President and the Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, shares his story as a key player in global digitization and the future of technology education. He discusses the power of shared vulnerability to build trust across organizations and cultures, the importance of core values in business, and Cisco's role in bringing people across the globe into the digital age. What is Your Why? Guy explains how his 'why' is aligned with Cisco's mission to power an inclusive future; it's a job that doesn't keep him up at night, but instead gets him up in the morning.  The Role of Culture in Global Digital Transformation Guy describes how he navigates culture–how people see the world–when working with industries, governments, academics, and countries across the globe. The Power of Shared Vulnerability in Leadership Guy discusses how trust is built through consistent, reliable interactions over time. Cisco builds inclusive ecosystems through partnerships. Core Values in Business Guy explains how Cisco's core values make it a predictable entity in the face of unexpected events, including geopolitical turmoil.  The Future of Work Guy posits the world of work will continue to change rapidly, with the introduction of AI, quantum computing, and other technologies, and how Cisco's Networking Academy fits into the picture of education in the new era. About Guy Diedrich Dr. Guy Diedrich is a Senior Vice President and the Global Innovation Officer at Cisco, where he is responsible for its Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) and Networking Academy programs. In this role, Dr. Diedrich collaborates closely with government and industry leadership around the world to drive mass-scale digitization initiatives that help increase GDP, create millions of next-generation jobs, and develop sustainable innovation ecosystems. CDA operates in 50 countries and has more than 1500 active or completed digitization projects since its inception in 2015. Cisco's Networking Academy operates in 190 countries and has trained more than 20.5 million students in networking and cybersecurity skills over the past 26 years. Dr. Diedrich continues to grow and evolve the programs into new markets, and build trust with government, industry and academic stakeholders. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-diedrich-4b4a3041/ Cisco: https://www.cisco.com/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

In today's episode: Trust is "the lubricant of efficient markets." It allows businesses to work together quickly without constantly watching their own backs. Trust is built by shared, symmetric vulnerability. When one side of an agreement shows vulnerability, the other side can build trust with a reciprocal gesture. Cisco's model is to do what it does best--connection-related technology--while teaming with smaller, local partners around the globe. Their Global Innovation Officer says trust is key to making it work. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Dr. Guy Diedrich. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-diedrich-4b4a3041/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Most generational dynamics are stereotypes, not hard science. No generation has a monopoly on any trait. Our pre-existing beliefs shape our interactions, which often causes us to reinforce our priors. These biases lead to dysfunction in the workplace; they're both unfounded and unproductive. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Merit Street: The next wave of AI--agentic AI--is going to cause job losses, at least in the short term. Adapting to an AI-focused future is crucial. One tactic is to become an expert on how AI can improve your duties and your organization, establishing yourself as valuable to the company. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Jessica's appearance on NBC: California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the state is removing the college degree requirement for 30,000 state jobs--which follows what many private employers are already doing. A college degree signifies that someone got certain grades in certain classes, but employers have begun to realize that most training gets done on-the-job anyway. College costs are skyrocketing and enrollment is declining. It's a major era of change for higher education and the workforce, so there's a possibility there may not even be a traditional college system in 20 years. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Rising childcare costs have a huge impact on single parents in the workforce (80% of whom are women). They're forced to be less flexible in the workplace in order to support family needs, which means a tougher time climbing the corporate ladder. Diverse populations create higher levels of performance. We should be subsidizing childcare to retain the highest level of talent. Managers looking to support their single-parent employees should have an honest conversation with HR leadership. Companies often have money in the budget to offer some support, but it requires a strong ask. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: After the pandemic hit, 90% of Yelp's employees said they preferred working at home. When offices opened, they were less than 1% occupied. Following the data, the company decided to stay remote-first as a sign of trust in their employees--a trust that goes both ways. We're seeing a lot of return-to-office mandates as we head into 2025, but it's not clear whether the mandates are based in data on culture or productivity. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Carmen Amara. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenamara/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Jessica's appearance on NBC: The gender wage gap is expanding. That's partly due to discrimination, and partly due to the price of childcare. When companies don't subsidize childcare, it often becomes unaffordable. Women are usually the ones who leave the workforce to take care of their families. Companies that offer greater flexibility and childcare subsidies create diverse organizations, which drives results for everyone. The first step for women looking to make a change: talk to your manager. You might be surprised by who's in your corner. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

Carmen Amara, Chief People Officer at Yelp, shares her journey into HR, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose in work and creating a people-first culture. She discusses the power of storytelling, Yelp's shift to remote work, and the role of empathy in leadership, and she debunks myths about HR--particularly the misconception that one must choose between profit and people. What is Your Why? Carmen discusses her desire to make an impact, and how she found a purpose in HR: helping businesses solve complex problems using people, while helping people broaden their skills and develop careers. Yelp's Culture of Belonging Carmen talks about the importance of people-first company culture, and how she was drawn to Yelp's mission, values, and culture of inclusion. Embracing Remote Work Culture Carmen explains Yelp's data-driven decision to stay remote-first after the pandemic, and how listening to employees has been foundational to the company's decision-making. Empathy in Leadership Carmen discusses how empathy in leadership is now more important than ever as the lines between work and life can sometimes blur. Navigating AI in the Workplace Carmen explains how AI can enhance human work rather than replace it, as well as how Yelp is maintaining the integrity of first-party reviews. About Carmen Amara Carmen joined Yelp in 2022 to lead People Operations. She is an accomplished human resources executive with over 20 years experience helping employees and global organizations succeed. Prior to Yelp, Carmen served as Vice President of Global People Operations & Development at eBay. She was also a Human Resources Director at Home Depot where she provided strategic direction for a variety of operational and corporate functions. Carmen holds a B.A. in Spanish and International Relations from Colby College, an MBA in International Business from Bentley University, and is certified in Executive Coaching through Columbia University. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmenamara/ Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/ Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

In today's episode: The world is getting less stable, between wars abroad, the possibilities of tariffs at home, and weird stuff like the drones. World events impact employees. Whether leaders care about employee well-being or pure productivity, action is still necessary. Bottom line: check in on your teams. If you don't listen to your people, somebody else will. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Change can seem hard, but it can also provide purpose--and that purpose can make the process fun. The science shows that an adaptive leadership mindset is the most effective in the face of change. Strategy is easy to change, but that's often just a few words on a slide. Changing a mindset is a company-wide endeavor, but aligning it with strategy can lead to a huge boost in profitability. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode, some more key workplace trends to watch for 2025, featuring Peter Miscovich at JLL: Digital talent, magnetism and workforce upskilling. The integration of digital and AI technologies at scale. Flexible and high-quality buildings and locations, plus human-centric workplace experiences. The necessity of sustainable, resilient strategies to mitigate the risks of climate change. And the continuation of hybrid work alongside in-office and remote strategies. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Peter Miscovich: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjmiscovich/ Peter's Book - The Workplace You Need Now: https://www.theworkplaceyouneednow.com/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Steve Pruett identifies "growth cycles" in his career--periods that encompass a structure of "Go, Assess, Identify, and Next" In the Go phase, we build things and cover ground. Then we Assess how we feel, Identify pros and cons, and figure out where we might want to head Next. These cycles aren't hard boundaries--they can happen faster in the early-career phase, and might include sub-cycles within a company--but they provide a framework for growth and career development. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Steve Pruett. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjpruett/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: In the era of Big Data, large companies often have a variety of technology systems and data sets that can't speak with each other directly. It falls to smaller, more agile companies to build technologies that integrate and translate between these various systems. The arrangement gives those smaller companies a lot of power; their products are necessary to "unleash" multimillion-dollar investments. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Jessica's appearance on NBC: A new Gallup poll shows half of working women report being stressed a lot of the day, compared to 39% of working men. 42% of working women say their job had a negative impact on their mental health over the last six months. Women face significant pressure to deliver results for work and also shoulder much of the work for raising families. That demands a lot of flexibility from work. But lots of companies are demanding a return to the office in 2025--the exact opposite of flexibility. Offering flexibility is more than just the right thing to do: it also helps drive the bottom line. There's a clear correlation between women in leadership and driving results. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Jessica's appearance on NBC: Employees are feeling detached from their work at all levels, from the frontline to executive leadership. Part of the problem is systemic, but another problem is widespread below-the-line thinking: playing the blame game instead of taking accountability. Those feeling detached should be asking themselves four questions: What's going on? What about that can I control? What else could I try? And what am I going to do by when? By focusing on these questions, we aren't waiting for someone who's also probably detached to solve our problem.  Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode, we look at Jessica's 2025 workplace culture trends that you should be paying attention to: Trump Administration Uncertainty. AI-powered empathy. The end of work-from-home. Bye-bye, middle managers. Rebellion against traditional "ping-pong table" culture initiatives. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Executives often fear sharing information with employees for fear of causing panic. Honesty is appreciated, even when it comes with bad news. When hard times cause tough decisions, it helps to know why they're being made. Employees are the ones executing strategic plans. Bringing them into the planning process means more insight. Executives don't need to have the answers; they need to have the questions. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Steve Pruett. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjpruett/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: A leader needs to know their own "why"--their fundamental motivation. Is it service? Influence? Impact? This prime mover might change over time, and the act of choosing may actually reinforce it. Like a clear purpose for an organization, a personal prime mover helps leaders make strategic decisions and ignore the noise. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

Steve Pruett, Executive Chairman of Cox Media Group, shares his remarkable journey from a humble upbringing to leading one of the largest media organizations in the United States. With insights drawn from his book The Gain Principle, Steve reflects on personal and professional growth, the power of radical inclusion, and the hard-won lessons from navigating corporate culture. He also opens up about the profound impact of losing his two sons and how their legacy continues to inspire his work and life. This conversation delves into the moments that shaped Steve's leadership style, his perspective on authenticity in corporate America, and his drive to "make things happen." What Is Your Why? Steve shares how his purpose evolved from a relentless drive to "make things happen" into a mission to lift the veil for others, offering insight into leadership dynamics and decision-making processes. Radical Inclusion and Corporate Transparency Steve discusses his early belief in radical inclusion, its successes, and challenges, particularly within the confines of corporate America. The Gain Principle: A Framework for Growth Steve explains his four-part growth cycle—Go, Assess, Identify, and Next—and how this structured approach has guided his personal and professional life. Leadership Lessons from Life and Loss Steve reflects on the life lessons his late sons taught him, his journey through grief, and how their influence continues to shape his leadership and legacy. Navigating Corporate Culture and Transparency From his experience leading through economic downturns and mergers, Steve emphasizes the importance of including employees in decision-making processes and maintaining transparency. Building Purpose and Resilience Steve shares actionable strategies for personal and organizational growth, from leveraging AI and technology to making bold, purpose-driven decisions in life and work. Acknowledging the Past to Build the Future Steve shares how his upbringing with entrepreneurial grandparents and union-worker parents shaped his work ethic and leadership philosophy. The Future of Work and Leadership From navigating industry headwinds to empowering employees, Steve discusses his vision for creating sustainable and inclusive workplaces. About Steve Pruett Steve Pruett is the Executive Chairman of Cox Media Group, leading a portfolio of radio and television stations across the United States. With decades of experience in media and corporate leadership, Steve is known for his forward-thinking approach and people-first leadership style. His book The Gain Principle outlines his framework for personal and professional growth, offering insights for individuals at every stage of their careers. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenjpruett/ Cox Media Group: www.coxmediagroup.com Host: Jessica Kriegel Website: jessicakriegel.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: @jess_kriegel Culture Partners Website: culturepartners.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/culturepartners

In today's episode: An organization should have a clear, simple purpose. "Our purpose is to..." followed by six words or less. When this purpose permeates an organization, it inspires employees and helps them feel fulfilled with the knowledge that they're working toward a clear mission. A clear purpose serves as a measuring stick for thousands of strategic decisions. If it doesn't align with the purpose, then move on. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Merit Street: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy plan to use return-to-office mandates to convince large portions of government workers to quit. Controversy aside, they're more transparent than many private-sector CEOs, who claim RTO is about culture. Culture doesn't just happen within the four walls of the office: it's about experiences, beliefs, and actions, which also happen in a virtual space. It isn't that younger generations don't want to work: leaders have failed to convince them that the work matters. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: While tomorrow is Thanksgiving for Americans, it's just another Thursday for the rest of the world. Global companies often keep that in mind when communicating with employees. We tend to react poorly to changes in language based on sensitivity--but it's not about us. Everyone has something going on. To be truly global, a company has to put in effort to see all the different populations within itself. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: The new Jaguar ad has seen backlash that claims it's "too woke"-- but we can't know the ad's effectiveness until we see the sales numbers on their new line of cars. For now, it's the most buzz Jaguar has seen in a while. Advertisements tell a specific story. Jaguar's ad is banking on that story resonating with the subset of customers that are likely to buy their cars. A company can't be for everyone; what works for Jaguar won't work for Kia or Audi, and vice versa. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Merit Street: Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have promised "large-scale firings" in the federal workforce, partly through return-to-office mandates. Most RTO mandates have the same purpose, but private companies are less transparent about the reason. The federal government is inefficient, but that's a problem of accountability and culture rather than size. Disruption at this level could foster innovation, but could also just be catastrophic. The key is how federal workers and the public react to change. 2025 will be the year of large-scale RTO mandates--not just hybrid schedules, but five days a week. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: AI tools are promising the ability to rephrase our messages in ways that better-suit their recipients. There's some hope that this "AI-powered empathy" will smooth workplace communication, but it's actually disconnecting us more than ever. The reality is that relationships and culture are messy. Building real human empathy is the way to achieve long-term satisfaction and results. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode from Merit Street: Microsoft has plans for widespread use of AI agents, but AI still represents more hype than capability at this point. In the near future, we'll probably see AI replace a lot of people--but when the bots cause a liability problem, companies will bring the people back. Regardless of AI's future, CEOs need to make sure the hearts and minds of employees are along for the ride. An adaptable culture is an evergreen asset. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Women experience health issues that men don't. In their fifties and sixties, that includes hot flashes as a part of menopause. Sometimes, that means needing to step out of a meeting for a moment. It isn't a sign of weakness; it's a normal occurrence that everyone in the workplace should be aware of. Everyone is going through different things, even if they haven't shared the details. Awareness and sensitivity in all aspects of business will build the relationships necessary to succeed. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. John Frehse, Global Head of Labor Strategies at Ankura, joins Jessica every week to discuss the latest news in labor, employment, and workplace culture by asking each other the question: 'What Are You Paying Attention To Now?' John Frehse: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfrehse/ Bio at Ankura: https://ankura.com/experts-and-advisors/john-frehse Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/

In today's episode: Both personal and professional problems can be opportunities for personal growth; when employees experience that growth, it's also good for business. Great leader hire people who are better than them. They get other people to take a new level of action that benefits both the employee and the organization. When employees can be themselves, they can assess their strength and weaknesses and find solutions that work for everyone. Culture Leaders Daily is a daily, five-minute podcast for CEOs where we dissect the week's biggest news, unpack hot-button workplace trends, and bring you exclusive interviews with leaders who leverage culture to drive real business results. Today's podcast is a short clip from Jessica's Culture Leaders interview with Scott Wine. You can find the entire conversation on this podcast feed or watch it on YouTube. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhergenrother/ Jessica Kriegel: Website: https://www.jessicakriegel.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakriegel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_kriegel/ Culture Partners: Website: https://culturepartners.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/culturepartners/